Long-threatened tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump have plunged the country into a trade war abroad — all while on-again, off-again new levies continue to escalate uncertainty. Since taking office less than two months ago,

President Donald Trump on Sunday would not rule out the possibility of Americans feeling economic hardships including a recession resulting from his efforts to provoke a trade war with Canada, Mexico and other nations.

The leaders of both Canada and Mexico got on the phone with President Donald Trump this past week to seek solutions after he slapped tariffs on their countries, but China’s president appears unlikely to make a similar call soon.

National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said in an interview with ABC News' "This Week" that the tariffs are not meant to start a trade war. "What happened was that we launched a drug war, not a trade war, and it was part of the negotiation to get Canada and Mexico to stop shipping fentanyl across our borders," Hassett said.

Former central banker Mark Carney favoured over Chrystia Freeland to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal party head

Canada's Liberal Party will announce Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's successor on Sunday as both party chief and head of the country's government in the midst of a trade war with the United States that could cripple the Canadian economy.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration imposed across-the-board 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico.